Electric-bath m etal-h eating apparatus and process



(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. D. BURTON & E. E. ANGELL. ELECTRIC BATH METAL HEATING APPARATUS AND PROCESS.

No. 499,964. Patented June 20, 1898.

WITNESSES (No Model.\ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. D. BURTON & E. E. ANGELL. ELECTRIC BATH METAL HEATING APPARATUS AND PROCESS.

No. 499,964. 8 Patented June 20, 1893.

(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 3.

G. D. BURTON 8 E. E. ANGELL. ELECTRIC BATH METAL HEATING APPARATUS AND rnoonss.

No. 499,964. Patented June 20, 1893.

WI 5 \/E 1 99.99% 14 f A/fl/n/ a/mfrn/ J i 2 9W1 (No Model.) 4 Sheets8heet 4- G. D. BURTON & E. E. ANGELL. ELECTRIC BATH METAL HEATING APPARATUS AND PROCESS.

No. 499,964. PatentedJune 20, 1893.

WI E5555 lplVzpl-rmag TH $2 J- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. BURTON, OF BOSTON, AND EDWIN E. ANGELL, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELECTRICAL FORGING COMPANY,

OF MAINE.

ELECTRIC-BATH METAL-HEATING APPARATUS AND PROCESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,964, dated June 20, 1893.

Application filed December 81, 1892. Serial No. 456,975. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE D. BURTON, residing at Boston, in the county of Sulfolk, and EDWIN E. ANGELL, residing at Somer- 5 ville, in the county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Bath Metal-Heating Apparatus and Processes, of which the tel- 10 lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to the heating of metals by contact with a conductive liquid or solution which serves to convey the electric current to the metal and to form an are around I 5 the same.

The object of the invention is to secure an even and uniform heating of the bar or bars of metal in a rapid and economical manner.

The invention consists principally in sub- 20 jecting the metal to be heated to a stream,

jet or spray of conductive liquid and simultaneously to the action of an electric current, the liquid stream, spray or jet serving as a medium for conveying the electricity to or 2 5 from the metal.

The invention consists further in an apparatus for electrifying and circulating the conductive solution and bringing it in the form of an electrified jet or stream into contact with the metal to be heated.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a side elevation of this improved electric heating apparatus, a portion of one side of the tank constituting a part of said apparatus being broken out. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section of the apparatus. Fig. 3 represents a vertical transverse section of this improved metal heating apparatus-,in which the channel for the conductive liquid 40 is provided with a nozzle for directing said liquid to a given point of the work. Fig. 4 represents a side elevation of the form of apparatus illustrated in Fig.3, one side of the tank for containing the conductive liquid be- 45 ing broken out. Fig. 5 represents a side elevation of this improved apparatus provided with three clamps, two of which are movable. Fig. 5' represents an end View of the outer clamp in Fig. 5 and its adjusting device. Fig.

6 represents thisimproved apparatus adapted for welding tubes or shells and provided with means for rotating the work during the action of the stream or jets of electrified liquid. Fig. 7 represents two members to be welded together by a butt weld. Fig. 7 represents a butt-weld formed by this apparatus. Fig. 8 represents a lap-weld formed thereby. Fig. 9 represents the two parts of a shell to be welded together. Fig. 10 represents the welded shell.

The same reference numbers indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

The tank, reservoir or receptacle 10, preferably composed of lead or iron lined with lead and supported on insulated legs 11,0011- tains a conductive liquid which serves as the medium for conveying the current to the metal to be heated. This conductive liquid consists preferably of a weak solution of a chemical salt. \Ve have used for this purpose a solution of sal-soda of a specific gravity of 1.305 at a temperature of 845 Fahrenheit; also a solution of equal parts of sal-soda and cream tartarof a strength of 1.255 specific gravity at 77 Fahrenheit; also a solution of caustic potassium of a strength of 1.210 specific gravity at 79 Fahrenheit.

The tank 10 is provided with a bracket 12 having shaft bearings 13 and 14.. A shaft is supported on the shaft bearings 13 and 14. This shaft'is provided at its outer end with a driving pulley 21, preferably a cone pulley, and at its inner end with a disk 22. A contact collar 2 f is disposed on the shaft and a brush connected with one electric pole bears on said collar, these parts servingto convey the electric current to or from the shaft. The shaft and disk may be composed of iron, steel or copper. We have used soft steel. The conductive ring is preferably composed of copper.

An annular bucket wheel havinga closed end 31 is supported at the inner end of the shaft 20 over the tank 10, the lower portion of said wheel dipping into said tank. The wheel is secured to the shaft by bolts 23 passing through the disk 22 and the head 31, or in any other suitable manner. The inner face of the central portion of the closed end of the bucket wheel is provided with an insulating plate 32 to avoid short circuiting of the current in case the metal to be heated should come in contact therewith. Said closed end is preferably provided with holes 33around the insulating plate for the passage of the liquid when the wheel rotates in the bath. This bucket wheel is provided with a series of buckets 34 disposed around the wheel and attached to the inner face of the rim thereof. As the wheel rotates partially within the tank the buckets dip into the solution within said tank as they descend on one side and carry upsa'id solution as they ascend on the other side of the axis of the wheel.

A race-way 40 is disposed at an elevated point on the ascending side of the axis within the circle on which the inner edges of the buckets impinge. This race-way is composed of metal or other suitable electro-conductive material, preferably lead, and extends from a point near the inner circle of the revolving buckets to a point above the center of the wheel, being composed of a horizontal or inclined plane having side flanges. If desired it may be provided with a dependent hood 41 at its outer end which serves as a guard and prevents the spilling of the liquid from the buckets before they reach the plane of the race-way. This race-way is supported by a bent arm 42 bolted to the tank 10.

A stand having a work-holder 51 is disposed near the tank 10 opposite the open face of the bucket-wheel'. This work-holder may consist of a pair of clamping jaws and a set screw 52 for manipulating the movable jaw as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This stand is preferably composed of two members, the upper member being vertically adjustable on the lower member to'elevate or depress the workholder for the purpose of bringing it in proper elevation to hold the work in the stream of conductive liquid discharged at the mouth of the race-way. In Fig. 2 one of the members is adjustable on the other by means of a slot 53 and a set screw 54. The stand or work-holder is provided with a binding post 55 for connecting it with the other electric pole.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a single work-holder is shown and the mouth of the race-way is equal to the width thereof, this form of apparatus being adapted for heating any length of bar not exceeding the width of the race-way. In Figs. 3 and 4 a duplex work-holder is shown 4 and the race-way is provided with a contracted nozzle 91 adapted to discharge the electrified liquid onto the work at any particular point thereof or onto the two joint between bars held in the respective clamps of the duplex work-holder.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the movable stand is designated as (30 and the upper member thereof d is adjustable on the lower member by means of a screw-shank 61 which enters a socket in the lower member. A check-nut 62 on the shank 61 serves to maintain the upper memher in its adjusted position. The upper member is provided with a horizontal bed 63 having a fixed standard 64 at one end and ways at the other end on which a movable stand 05 slides. bearing at the outer end of said'bed and engages a screw-threaded hole in said movable standard. This screw-rod is provided with a hand wheel 67 whereby it serves to move the sliding standard.

A clamp or work-holder 70 is disposed on the fixed standard 64 and another clamp or 1 work-holder S0 is disposed on movable standard U5.

The race-way designated in Figs. 3 and 4 by the number is closed at its inner end and provided with a dependent nozzle 91. which serves to contract the liquid discharged from the race-way into a narrow stream or jet which can be applied to a particular part of the work for localizing the heat.

A conductor connected with the positive pole of a dynamo, storage battery, transformer or other primary or secondary source of electricity is attached to the brush 25 which bears on the conductive collar 24 on the shaft 20, and a conductor 200 connected with the negative pole of the source of electricity is attached to the work-holderor movable stand. The current used must be of such a character as to cause the formation of a voltaic are or gas envelope between the work and the liquid. For heating bars one-half inch in cross section we have used a current of fifty two volts and eighty amperes.

In Fig. 6 an apparatus is shown for rotating the work during the application of the electrified liquid. Any suitable apparatus may be used for this purpose. The apparatus herein shown comprises a stand disposed adjacent to the tank 10 and carrying two horizontal arms or beds 121 and 122 which serve as guideways for two movable stands 130 and 140. The bed 121 is provided with a rotary screw shaft 123 having an actuating wheel 124 at its outer end, and the bed 122 is provided with a similar screw shaft 125 having a hand wheel 126 at its outer end. The stand 130 is similar to a lathe stock and rests upon and is adjustable on the bed 121, being provided with a dependent lug 131 which is engaged by the adjusting screw shaft 123. A shaft 132 is journaled in said stand and provided with a cone pulley 133, which is engaged by a driving belt 134 for rotating the shaft.

This shaft is provided at its inner end with a work holder in the form of a clamping head or chuck 135 for receiving one end of the work to be heated. The stand is similarly adjustable on the bed 122, having a dependent lug 141 which is engaged by the screw shaft 125. A shaft 142 is journaled in this stand and carries a cone pulley 143 which is engaged by a driving belt 144. This shaft is provided at its inner end with a work-holder in the form of a clamping head or chuck 145,

An adjusting screw rod 66 turns in awhich supports the opposite end of the work to be heated.

In carrying out this process for the heating of a bar of metal by the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bar as 300 to be heated is placed in the work-holder 51 in such position that the portion thereof to be heated projects into the hollow central portion of the bucket wheel in front of the mouth of the raceway 40. The bucket wheel 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow and the buckets 3t thereof elevate the conductive solution contained in the tank 10 and discharge it into the fixed elevated race-way and said liquid passes through said race-way and is discharged at the mouth thereof in a stream or cascade which comes in contact with said bar to be heated. The bar serves to close the circuit between the liquid and the work-holder and an electric arc is formed between the bar and the liquid whereby the bar is quickly heated to the degree of plasticity required.

The welding of two bars may be effected by this process in the apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case one of the bars or pieces as 400 to be welded is inserted in the clamp or work-holder 7 O and the other bar or piece as 500 in the clamp .or work-holder 80, the ends of the bars being butted together opposite the, nozzle 91 of the race-way 90. The bucket wheel being rotated, the liquid is elevated by the buckets thereon and discharged into the raceway and passing therethrough is discharged from the nozzle in the form of a jet, stream or spray onto the bars at their joint whereby the electric circuit is closed and the adjacent ends of the bars are softened by the heat developed. lVhile the abutting ends of the bars are in a plastic condition, the movable Work-holder in which one of the bars is supported .is moved toward the fixed work-holder by the screw-rod 66, whereby the end of one bar is forced against the end of the other bar and the adjacent ends are upset and Welded together.

In carrying out this process by the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 6, the work as 500 in the form of two tubes or shafts to be welded, or in any other form, is clamped between the rotary work-holders 135 and 145 and the stands 130 and 140 are so adjusted by means of the screw shafts 123 and 125 as to bring the joint or the part to be heated opposite the mouth or discharging point as 91 of the conduit for the electrified liquid. The shafts supporting the Work-holders are then rotated and the liquid is permitted to flow onto the joint or part of the work to be heated, the bucket wheel being rotated or other means being employed for supplying the liquid. The current passes through the conductor 100, through the bucket Wheel, through the liquid, through the work, through the workholders and shafts, through the stands and through the base to the conductor 200.

The conductive liquid returns to the tank after contact with the metal and may be used over and over again. Fresh water may be added to supply the place of that which evaporates during the heating operation.

To claim as our invention- 1. The art of heating metal which consists in subjecting it to the action of a stream of conductive liquid and an electric heating current passing through said liquid.

2. The art of heating metal which consists in subjecting it to the action of a jet of conductiv'e liquid and an electric heating current passing through said liquid.

3-. The art of heating metal which consists in discharging an electrified liquid onto the metal.

4. The art of heating metal which consists in discharging an electrified liquid onto the metal in the form of a jet.

5. The art of heating metal which consists in elevating a conductive liquid from a bath and permitting it to fall upon the metal to be heated, the liquid being connected with one electric pole and the metal with the other.

6. The art of heating metal which consists in elevating a conductive liquid from a bath and permitting it to descend upon the metal to be heated and fall back into the original bath, the liquid being connected with one electric pole and the metal with the other.

'7. The combination of a work-holder, a de vice for discharging a conductive liquid onto the work on said work-holder, and means for connecting the work and liquid with opposite electric poles.

8. The combination of a tank containing a conductive liquid, a race-way disposed above said tank, an adjustable work-holder for holding the metal to be heated adjacent to the mouth of said race-way, means for elevating the conductive liquid from the tank to said race-way, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

9. The combination of a tank containing a conductive liquid, a race-way disposed above said tank, a work-holder for holding the metal to be heated adjacent to the mouth of said race-way, a bucket wheel for elevating the conductive liquid from the tank to said raccway, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

10. The combination of a tank containing a conductive liquid, a rotary bucket wheel par tially Within said tank, having an annular series of buckets and an open central chamber, a fixed race-way supported within said chamher, a work-holder for holding the metal to be heated adjacent to the mouth of said raceway and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

11. The combination of a Work-holder connected with one electric pole for supporting the metal to be heated, means connected with the other electric pole for discharging a conductive liquid upon said metal, and means for regulating the quantity of liquid to be discharged.

12. The combination of a tank containing a conductive liquid, a race-way disposed above said tank, a work-holder for holding the metal to be heated adjacent to the mouth of said race-way, a bucket wheel for elevating the conductive liquid from the tank to said raceway, means for regulating the speed of said bucket wheel, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

13. The combination of a shaft, a bucket wheel having a closed end attached to one end of said shaft, the central portion of the opposite end of said bucket wheel being open, a fixed race-way supported within said bucket wheel, a work-holder forsupporting the work adjacent to the mouth of said ra e-way, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles. I

14. The combination of a race-way for conveying a conductive liquid, a work-holder for holding the metal to be heated adjacent to the mouth of said race-way, and means for connecting said liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

15. The combination of a nozzle, means for supplying a conductive liquid thereto, a workholder, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

16. The method of welding metal which consists in subjecting the adjacent ends of the parts to be joined to the action of a jet of electrified liquid connected with one electric pole while said metals are connected with the other electric pole until the parts are rendered plastic by the heat developed by the current and then subjecting said metals to pressure.

17. The combination of two metal holders connected with one electric pole for supporting two pieces of metal to be welded, means connected with the other electric pole for applying a jet of liquid to the metals to be heated, and means for pressing said metals together.

18. The combination of a fixed metal holder, a movable metal holder, a conduit for an electrified liquid provided with a discharge nozzle, an elevating device for raising the liquid to be discharged through said conduit and nozzle, and electric conductors adapted to cellvey a current of large volume connected with opposite electric poles and with said workholder and conduit respectively.

19.. The art of heating metal which consists in discharging an electrified liquid onto the metal and rotating the metal during the application of the jet or stream of the electrified liquid.

20. The combination of a work-holder c011- nected with one electric pole for supporting the metal to be heated, means connected with the other electric pole for discharging a conductive liquid upon said metal, and means for rotating the metal during the discharge of the liquid thereonto.

21. The combination of a nozzle, means for supplying a conductive liquid thereto, a workholder, means for rotating the'work, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

22. The combination of a work-holder, a conduit for passing a conductive liquid into contact with the work, means for rotating the work, and means for connecting the liquid and work with opposite electric poles.

GEO. D. BURTON. EDlVIN E; AN lELL.

Witnesses:

H. H. RIDEOUT, CHESTER Mann. 

